T‑Mobile has finished an expansion project in Florida worth $2 billion, which it says means nearly 100% of Floridians are now covered by its 5G network.
The operator says the multi-year investment expanded 5G coverage through new and upgraded existing cell sites, resulting in faster than ever data speeds, improved reliability, broader coverage for 22 million Floridians, and supports emergency response systems and smart city initiatives.
The project involved 1,282 new or retained sites from the merger with Sprint, around 1,350 sites upgraded across the state, and hardening 1,375 sites to improve emergency response and disaster recovery.
Average statewide 5G download speeds are now 266.7 MB per second, which is a 216% increase since 2021, and nearly 100% of Floridians are now covered by T-Mobile’s 5G network, it says.
“T-Mobile has redefined connectivity in Florida. The investment we’ve made is bringing real benefits to the people and businesses that call this state home, not just with the fastest speeds, but with increased resiliency and reliability in moments that matter most,” said Ulf Ewaldsson, President of Technology, T-Mobile. “And we’re not done yet. With the country’s only 5G Advanced network and as the nation’s first provider with a direct-to-cell satellite network, we’re on track to deliver an even better network experience to Floridians — years before anyone else.”
As well as reinforcing sites to withstand high winds, floods and power disruptions, it’s also increased its heavy-duty disaster response satellite vehicles by more than 25% within the last year to prepare for major weather events.
“T-Mobile plays an essential role in keeping Floridians connected — not just in daily life, but when it matters most,” said David Bezzant, Vice President, T-Mobile Business Group. “Through this investment, we’re strengthening communications during natural disasters and closing coverage gaps in remote areas, so people can stay connected in critical moments and in places no other signal reaches.”
The release also highlights a recent use case of private network deployment in the shape of Jacksonville-based Miller Electric. The firm will use a 5G private network from T-Mobile’s 5G Advanced Network Solutions (ANS) to support operations of fully autonomous bus-shaped shuttles that will transport visitors along a three-mile stretch from EverBank Stadium to the new waterfront hub, we’re told.
Yvette Benarroch, Representative, Florida House District 81 was drafted in to add: "T-Mobile’s investment in Florida’s 5G infrastructure is more than just a network upgrade — it’s helping build stronger, safer and more connected communities. Enhanced service means faster emergency response and greater opportunity for families and small businesses. I look forward to working with T‑Mobile to support smart infrastructure that strengthens our communities, serves the people of Florida and keeps our state leading in innovation and connectivity.”
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It also mentions the T-Satellite with Starlink satellite service, which officially launches 23 July for Verizon and AT&T customers as well as its own. T-Mobile announced the arrival date of the service last month, which will allow for SMS text messaging, MMS, picture messages and short audio clips.
The audio clips element of the service will only be available to Android users initially, with support for iOS to follow at a later, unspecified, date, and the firm plans to launch a data offer from 1 October, "to allow application experiences on the satellite network," it said.
Source: https://www.telecoms.com/5g-6g/t-mobile-completes-2-billion-5g-expansion-in-florida
